Ars Technica Reviews the Zune HD

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2009/09/zune-hd-review.ars' target='_blank'>http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news...e-hd-review.ars</a><br /><br /></div><p>"<em>Despite the software&rsquo;s attractive design, it might also serve as a case study for just how hard it is to nail interface design on a first pass. Moving around in the interface takes a bit of getting used to; for instance, there&rsquo;s no single way to back out of the menu hierarchy. When viewing the details of an album, backing up requires a press on a white arrow in the upper left corner of the screen. Clear enough. But when you bring up the special player-wide control screen (triggered by that button on the left side of the device) to adjust volume or to pause playback, backing out involves tapping the tiny word &ldquo;exit&rdquo; in the upper left. ... Do we need four slightly different ways to accomplish the same thing</em>?"</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1253025275.usr495.jpg" style="border: 0;" width="500" /></p><p>By now you've probably read a ton of reviews of Zune HD, and have essentially made up your mind about if, or when, you plan on buying one. What makes this review different (and what I love about most Ars reviews in general) is that they explore the device <em>in context</em> of its ecosystem and competition. Unlike other reviews that simply compare feature-by-feature the Zune HD and iPod Touch, Ars' Nate Anderson truly delves into what it's like to use the player. He is impressed with the music discovery features, newly fixed album art display times, and HD radio experience, while lamenting the decision to use on-screen volume controls, inability to natively sync DVR-MS files, and poor browser experience. The Zune pass too is seen as a very positive feature, and as yet another expense to consider. All in all, an incredibly fair review that touches on some key points to consider when making a purchase decision.</p>

[SoundMix]

I find the touch screen to be a big negative. Having tried it, I much prefer the simple button navigation system. It's faster, more reliable and the screen remains clean. Check out the new 64GB Sony, OLED, buttons, plays nice with WMP, and more.

[Adan Galvan]

I have a great tip (well I haven't seen it said anywhere else). Although not having a physical volume button is kind of a pain, the Zune team did give an easy way to change the volume without looking at the screen. Simply tap the controls button on the side of the Zune, and slide your finger up or down to the screen to adjust the volume.

[Scarpad]

I find the touch screen to be a big negative. Having tried it, I much prefer the simple button navigation system. It's faster, more reliable and the screen remains clean. Check out the new 64GB Sony, OLED, buttons, plays nice with WMP, and more.

I tend to agree on the whole touch screen faze, I hate dirty screens. But if there has to be on I prefer the screen on my S9 it's menu is a prime example of less is more. The new Zune screens with all it's background graphics feels cluttered to me I much prefer the simpler menu's of the S9 or my Zune 120, I wonder if after the new ness wears off, and the shine is off the device if others will feel that way too.

[doogald]

I was playing with an HD at my local Best Buy last night. For what I could do with it, it was a really sweet little device - the screen and menus are responsive, the size is surprisingly small - I knew it was smaller than a Touch, but you really have to hold it to get it, I think. My only issue is the lameness of the fact that, first, the 32 GB unit was not working and, second, the 16 GB had nothing on it - no music, no video, the internet had no connectivity, so about the only thing that you could actually do with it is listen to FM. All of the iPods at Best Buy have some music, at least one music video (though I did not try out the Touch to se e if it had internet connectivity.)

[Scarpad]

I was playing with an HD at my local Best Buy last night. For what I could do with it, it was a really sweet little device - the screen and menus are responsive, the size is surprisingly small - I knew it was smaller than a Touch, but you really have to hold it to get it, I think. My only issue is the lameness of the fact that, first, the 32 GB unit was not working and, second, the 16 GB had nothing on it - no music, no video, the internet had no connectivity, so about the only thing that you could actually do with it is listen to FM. All of the iPods at Best Buy have some music, at least one music video (though I did not try out the Touch to se e if it had internet connectivity.)

Blame MS for shipping the HD and previous Zune's this way, needing to be activated thru the SW before you can do anything, and teh retailers who refuse to do so with the demo units.